Lewis Edwin PAYSON

(1840-1909)

PAYSON, Lewis Edwin, a
Representative from Illinois; born in Providence, R.I., September
17, 1840; moved with his parents to Illinois in 1852; attended the
common schools and Lombard University, Galesburg, Ill.; studied
law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Ottawa,
Ill., in 1862; moved to Pontiac, Livingston County, Ill., in
January 1865 and continued the practice of law; judge of the county
court 1869-1873; elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh and
to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1881-March 3, 1891);
chairman, Committee on Public Lands (Fifty-first Congress); resumed
the practice of law; died in Washington, D.C., October 4, 1909;
interment in Rock Creek Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present